The North Lake Volunteer Fire Department reorganized during a public forum held Saturday at American Legion Post 470.

During a Monday afternoon press conference, Brown County Judge Dr. Paul Lilly said of Saturday’s meeting, “There’s been lots of turmoil in that department for quite some time. The county sat back and gave them the time needed to get it straightened and it never came to a resolution. It got to the point our Emergency Management Coordinator Darrell Johnston, myself and several of the commissioners I visited with privately felt we needed to encourage them to get their business in order. I’m glad to report they did with great success.”

The public forum was called after the decision was made to withhold equipment and funds from the North Lake VFD.

“Under my duties as Director of Emergency Management, at the the recommendation of Darrell Johnston, our Chief of Emergency Management, I stopped the issuance of $70,000 worth of radios that were ready to be distributed and we weren’t going to issue them anymore county funds, which is around $8,500,” Lilly said. “We weren’t going to release that money until we knew where it was going and what it was going to be used for and who was in charge to be honest.”

Lilly stated approximately 120 people who lived and/or owned land in the Thunderbird Bay, Harbor Point, Tamarack Mountain and Oak Point subdivisions – which is covered by the North Lake Volunteer Fire Department – overwhelming voted to reorganized the department.

“There were three options – stick with the organization they had, hit the reset button and start all over, or they could completely disband,” Lilly said. “They went with option No. 2.”

At the meeting, Bryan Taylor was elected new president of the North Lake VFD board, Paula Turner was elected treasurer/secretary, former Hobbs. New Mexico firefighter Carl Baxley is the new fire chief, former chief Scott Pierce is now assistant chief and Keith Bast was elected captain.

A new set of by laws used by most volunteer fire departments in Texas was also adopted, which can be amended however the North Lake department sees fit.

The department – which will receive its new radios and county funding once again – is actively seeking new members who would like to give back to their community as firefighters. Any support through monetary donations is also welcome.

“They’re up and running and I couldn’t be more proud of all the people that turned out,” Lilly said. “All these people volunteer … and there’s nothing greater than the power of a volunteer’s heart, and nothing’s more rewarding either.”